Device for dividing and proportioning liquids



Oct. 1.2, 1943. R P KEAMMERER 2,331,399

DEVICE FOR DIVIDING AND PROPORTIONING LIQUIDS Filed June .9, 1941 Patented Oct. 12, 19434 NT oFFicE i DEvIcE'FonmvmrNG AND PaoPon'rloNING LIQUms Roy P. Keammerer, Gary, Ind. i Application June 9, 1941, Serial No. 397,350

Claims. (Cl. 202-161) This invention relates to a device for dividing and proportioning liquids and, particularly. to a device for automatically dividing the condensate during thedistillation of a liquid so as .to properly proportion the rate of flow of reflux to the rate of ow of product. l

In' the fractional distillationof liquids, it is customary to condense all of the vapors leaving the top of the column and to divide the stream of condensate into two parts with one part, whichis termed reflux," being returned to the top of the column and the other part, finished prod.

uct, being directed to a` finished product receiver. `In case of either batch distillation or continuous distillation, it is necessary to accurately proportion and control the ratio of reux and product for the reason that excessive reflux entails a waste of heat energy and reduces the output of nished product, and lack of suicient reflux results in aproduct of insumcient purity.

l desired.

Various devices or means have been heretofore suggested and used for dividing and proportioning the condensate into reflux and finished product in fractional distillation. these proportioning devices or means have been practical and satisfactory in their use, they have been impractical and unsatisfactory in certain respects. For instance, some of the devices heretofore proposed and used included a rotating member having extremely small clearances and which was in contact with the liquid at all times thereby oftentimes resulting in the rotating member becoming frozen in one position, due to corrosion. Such a condition was. of course, unsatisfactory in that i it necessitated frequent maintenance and cleaning of the parts and frequently a replacement thereof, which was expensive, as well as inconvenient. Also, in other devices the reflux-product ratios were limited to an extremely narrow range, which was undesirable. When live steam is used in the process of distillation, water is carried along 'with thevapor issuing forth from4 the column and follows through with the condensate. If, such water is returned to thestill column with the reflux, it will decrease the eiciency of the still and, therefore, should be removed from the condensate. Proportioning devices heretofore used had no means incorporated therewith for removing such water from thecondensate, which, of course, was another disadvantage of such devices.

In the present invention, there is provided a device for dividing and proportioning the reflux and the nished product wherein all of the above mentioned disadvantages have been eliminated While some of and, at the same time, a device which eliminates the water from the condensate and the reflux.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved device forproportioning liquids which is simpleand inexpensive in its construction and use, i-and'one which is eillcient and effective in its use.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved device for automatically proportioning liquids in which the liquid being divided can be proportioned as desired over a relatively wide range. l

It is a further object of this invention to provide. an improved device for automatically dividing the condensate in fractional distillation and proportioning the rate of ow of reflux to the rate of flow of product wherein the rate of flow of each can be It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved device for automatically dividing the'condensatein fractional distillation into the reflux product and, at the same time,

a device .for separating water from the con-l densate and the reflux.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent during the course of the following specification and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the `accompanying drawing there is shown, for'the purpose of illustration, one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved liquid proportioning device of my invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view thereof with the top.

cover removed therefrom Figure 3 is a side elevation of my improved liquid proportioning device, partly in section Figure 4 is a section taken on line IV--IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a front elevation offmy improved device;

Figure 6 is a section taken on line VIi-VI of Figure 4; and Y Figure '1 is a section taken on line VII-VII of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the

improved liquid proportioning device of my invention comprises an annular or "cylindricalshaped body member I having a plate-like cover 2 arranged thereon. 'I'here is arranged centrally of the body member a hollow portion 2| so as to provide an annular chamber 22 therearound.

There is rotatably mounted in the hollow porpredetermined and varied as tion 2| on the upper end of a vertically arranged shaft 1, which is arranged through a stufllng box consisting of a packing nut 3 and packing Il carried by a plate-supporting member 23, and which, in turn, is securely arranged in the hollow portion, a cylindrical cup-like receptacle 3 having a weir 24 arranged in the side thereof adjacent the top of the same. There is arranged with the wer 24 an outwardly and downwardly extending lip portion 2i which extends into the chamber 22 of the body member.

In the chamber 22 of the body member at a point opposite the weir 24 and the lip DOrtion 25 of the receptacle 3 there is positioned a vertically extending dividing plate member II, having a knife-like upper edge 26. There is also arranged in the chamber, at a point spaced around the same from the dividing plate II, a vertically extending partition plate 23 so as to divide the chamber into two compartments, one compartment 21 for receiving one part of the liquid or the redux of the condensate as it is divided, and another compartment 23 for receiving the other part of the liquid or the finished product of the condensate.

There is positioned in the side wall of the chamber in one of the compartments, or the relinx-receiving compartment 21, an outlet 2l for conveying the redux or divided portion of the liquid from that chamber, and there is similarly arranged in the other, or finished productreceiv ing, compartment an outlet 34 for conveying the finished product or the other divided portion. of the liquid from that compartment.

There is arranged in one compartment of the chamber 22, or the redux-receiving compartment 21, adjacent the outlet 23 therein, a vertical extending plate member` I4 so as to provide a weir over which the liquid or redux in that compartment is adapted to dow to the outlet 2l. There is also positioned in the redux compartment 21, adjacent the weir 24 and lip portion 2i, a vertically extending substantially arcuate-shaped bafde plate I1 around which the liquid or redux, which is delivered into the compartment 21, is adapted to dow. Immediately in front of the of the body member I. 'I'here is arranged preferably on the sidewall of the body member, calibrations 34 representing the proportions of the liquid or condensate to be divided, preferably in percent, and with which the pointer I3 is adapted to cooperate. These calibrations preferably represent the percentage of redux being divided from the condensate. 'I'hat is, the pointer I3 is adapted to indicate on the calibrations 34 the amount in percent of the redux being divided from the condensate by the dividing plate member II and dowing to the upper side thereof into the redux-receiving compartment 21.

'I'here is also preferably provided an inspection glass 5 arranged in the cover 2 at a point directly above the dividing plate II and a similar inspection glass l arranged in the top of the chamber I2 for observing the operation of the device and the action of the liquid as it passes therethrough.

The improved Lliquid dividing and proportioning device of my invention functions in the following manner.4 The handle 4 is first manipulated so that the pointer I3 carried thereby is Positioned opposite the desired calibration 34 on the outside of the body member I so that the Weir 24 and the lip 25 of the receptacle 3 associated therewith are positioned properly relative to the liquid dividing plate II positioned in the chamber or hollow portion 2i. That is', the pointer I3 is positioned so as to obtain the desired portion of the divided liquid or redux in the compartment 21 and the desired portion of the liquid or finished product in the compartment .23. In the present instance, as shown in the drawing, the pointer I3 and the overdow cup or receptacle 3 are set so that the liquid or condensate will be equally divided, namely, at per cent, which will result in one-half the liquid condensate entering the compartment 21, with the other half entering the compartment 23.

The liquid or condensate to be divided and proportioned is then introduced from its source of supply through the inlet member or pipe 33 weir or plate member I4 in the bottom wall of the compartment 21 there is arranged preferably an outlet 3i to which one end of a pipe I5 is connected for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

There is suitably mounted adjacent the compartment 23 outside the chamber 22 a cylindrical receptacle or chamber I2 which is connected to the compartment 2l 'ls at-32. 'Ihe opposite end of the pipe I5 extends up through the bottom of the chamber I2 with the extreme end thereof .being positioned at a spaced distance from the bottom thereof intermediate the body of the same, and there is arranged on that end of the pipe Ii an adjustable overflow member Il. There is preferably arranged in the pipe Ii a valve Il and adx'ainvalve I l.

There is arranged centrally of the plate-like cover 2 a vertically extending cylindrical inlet member 33 which extends into the cup-like receptacle 3 with the bottom end thereof terminating preferably at a point adjacent the bottom of the receptacle and which is adapted to convey the liquid or the condensate to be divided from the source of supply into the receptacle 3.

On the bottom end of the shaft 1 there i: molmted a horizontally extending handle member 4 having a vertically extending pointer or indicating member I3 arranged therewith which is adapted to extend upwardly along the outside and into the receptacle 3. The inlet member 33 extends preferably to the bottom of the receptacle so as to prevent surging of the liquid or condensate and to provide an even dow of the same over the weir and the lip portion of the receptacle. It will be understood that the condensate or liquid rises in the receptacle 3 as it is delivered thereinto to the level of the weir 24 and then dows over the lip POrtion 2l and onto the knife edge 2t of the dividing plate member II. The plate member II divides the liquid or condensate as it dows thereover into two portions with one portion, or the reduxfdowing into compartment 21 to one side of the dividing plate II, and the other portion, or the dnished product, flowing to the compartment 23 upon the opposite side of the dividing Plate. e l

I'he liquid entering the redux compartment dows from ,the dividing plate II to the partition plate 2l and'over the weir I4 and out through the outlet 29. All the liquid entering the redux compartment will dow substantially the same distance, due to the fact that the baille plate I1 is positioned opposite the weir and lip portion of the receptacle. That is to say, the redux is caused to dow around the balde plate I1 as shown by the arrows in Figure 2 of the drawing. During the dow oi' the redux portion of the condensate through the redux compartment 21, any water therein settles to the bottom of the compartment and is removed therefrom by flowing through the pipe line l5 to the adjustable overassiisee i iiquidihereinto. e dividing plate member vertiflow I8 positioned in the chamber Il. and from there flows into the product compartment 28 to be carried away with the finished product. If live steam is not used in the-distillation process and it is not necessary to remove water from the reflux compartment, then valve I8 in the pipe I5 may be closed. The portion of the liquid divided e or finished product directedv to compartment 28 is pensive device for accurately and effectively dically arranged in the chamber of said body mem- `ber at a point adjacent the lip portion of said receptacle for dividing the same into two compartments, said dividing plate having a knifelike upper edge with the liquid adapted te flow l from said receptacle through said weir and over said lip portion onto said knife-like edge of the dividing plate in the chamber which is adapted to divide the liquid into Ipredetermined propor-v tions with 4part of the liquid adapted to enter the compartment on one side of the dividing plate and the other part thereof the compartment on the opposite side ofthe dividing plate,

means for rotating said receptacle relative to s aid dividingvplate member-so as to vary the proportion of the liquid flowing from the receptacle I into each of the compartments in said chamber,

viding liquids, or condensate in fractional distillation in which the desired divided proportions can ,be easily and conveniently determined.

While I have shown and described one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description andI that various other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention. as defined'in the appended claims. I

Iclaim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a cylindrical-shaped body member having a hollow central portion with an enclosed chamber arranged therearound, a rotatable cup-like receptacle arranged in the lcentral hollow portion of said body member for initially receiving the liquid to be proportioned.l means for delivering the liquid into saidreceptacle, a weir arranged with said receptacle adjacent the top thereof, a lip portion arranged on the outer side of'said weir and said receptacle communicating with the chamber in said body member for directing the liquid thereinto, a dividing plate member vertically arranged inthe chamber of said body member at a point adjacent the lip portion of said receptacle for dividing the same into two compartments, said dividing plate having a knifelike upper edge with the liquid adapted to flow from said receptacle through said weir and over said lip portion onto said knife-like edge of the dividing plate in the chamber which is adapted to divide the liquid into predetermined proportions with part of the liquid adapted to enter the compartment on one side of the dividing plate and theV other part thereof the compartment on the opposite side of the dividing plate, and a vertically disposed baille plate arranged in one of said compartments at a spaced distance e from said hollow central portion. and directly opposite the lip portion of the Weir of said receptacle whereby the liquid delivered into that compartment flows around said baffle plate so that all of the liquid entering thatcompartment is caused to flow substantially, the same distance.

2. A device ofthe class described comprising a cylindrical-shaped body member having a hollow `central portion with an enclosed chamber arranged therearound, al rotatable cup-like rea downwardly extending shaft carried by said receptacle and extending below said body member, a horizontally disposed handle member carried by said` shaft lfor rotating and positioning said receptacle, and a pointer carried by said handle member, said body member having calibrations arranged on the side thereof with which said pointer cooperates to indicate the proportions of the liquid directed by said dividing plate member into the respective compartments of said chamber.

3. A device of the class described comprising a. cylindrical-shaped body member having ahollow central portion with an enclosedchamber arranged therearound, a rotatable cup-like receptacle arranged in the` hollow central portion of said body'member for initially'receiving the liquid to be proportioned, means for delivering the liquid into said receptacle, aweir arranged with said receptacleadjacent the`top thereof, said chamber being divided into at least two compartments, means associated with said Weir for directing the liquid into the chamber of said body from said receptacle, means arranged in the chamber at a point adjacent saidlast men, tioned means which is adapted to divide the said receptacle, and 'a pointer carried by said l handle member, said body member having calibrations arranged on the side thereof .with which said pointer cooperates to indicate the proportions of the liquid directed by said dividing plate member into the respective compartments of said chamber.A

4.` I n the fractional distillation of a liquid. a device for dividing thestream of condensate into the reflux and the finished product comceptacle arranged in the central hollow portion of said body member for initially receiving the liquid to be proportioned, means for .delivering the liquid into said receptacle, a weir arranged with said receptacle adjacent the top thereof, a

lip portion arranged on the outer side of said prising a cylindrical-shaped body membenhaving avhollow central portion with an enclosed chamber Aarranged therearound, a rotatable cuplike receptacle arranged in the hollow portion of said body member for receiving the condensate, a weir arrangedwith said receptacle adjacent the top thereof, said chamberbeing divided into at least two compartments, means associated with said weir for directing the conilux adapted to enter one of said compartments in said chamber and the finished product the other of said compartments therein, means for adjusting the position of said receptacle relative to said dividing plate so as to vary the proportion of reux and finished product entering the respective compartments, reans for indicating the proportion of reiiux and nished product entering said compartments, an outlet arranged with that compartment into which the reflux is adapted to pass for delivering the reux therefrom, a weir vertically arranged in said compartment adjacent said outlet over which the reflux is adapted to pass to said outlet, means arranged with said reflux compartment immediately in front of said Weir therein for conveying liquid heavier than the reux liquid there from, and an outlet arranged with that compartment into which the finished product is adapted to pass for delivering the finished product therefrom.

5. A device of the class described comprising a cylindrical-shaped body member having a hollow central portion with an enclosed chamber arrangedtherearound, a rotatable cup-like receptacle arranged in the hollow central portion of said body member for initially receiving the liquid to be proportioned, means for delivering the liquid into said receptacle, a Weir arranged with said receptacle adjacent the top thereof, said chamber being divi .ed into at least two compartments, means associated with said weir for directing the liquid into the chamber of said body fromsaid receptacle, means arranged in the chamber at a point adjacent said last mentioned means which is adapted to divide the liquid into predetermined proportions as it flows thereinto from said receptacle with part of the liquid adapted to enter one of the compartments in said chamber and the other part thereof the other of said compartments therein. a baille member arranged in one of the compartments in the chamber adjacent the outlet thereof so as to provide a Weir therein over which the liquid delivered thereinto is adapted to flow, means arranged in the bottom of said compartment in front of said bafe member therein forl directing; liquid heavier than the liquid being distilled from said compartment, and an outlet arranged with eachof said compartments for conveying thil liquid delivered thereinto therefrom.

ROY P. KEAMMERER. 

